Pre-school education has long-term benefits, say researchers

Good quality early years services can reduce the numbers of pupils with special needs later in their school careers, says the minister for children.

Announcing the setting up of 32 centres for education and welfare services for families with young children, Margaret Hodge, said that research showed that there was a long-term positive impact from such "joined-up" services.

"Experience tells us that a seamless range of services for children as they grow up changes lives in a decisive way," said the children's minister.

"New findings from a study which is tracking the impact of pre-school on a group of young children found that good quality early years services reduced the risk of them having special educational needs at school from a third to a fifth."

Details of this research into the impact of pre-school education, carried out by the Institute of Education, Birkbeck College in London and Oxford University, will be published later this week.

Integration

The minister was announcing the creation of "Sure Start Children's Centres", which will provide assistance in several different overlapping fields - including education, health, childcare and employment.

The Sure Start programme is intended to provide integrated support for families in deprived areas, and the Children's Centres are intended as the beginning of a national network.

"We have named the best joined-up early years services as Sure Start Children's Centres and they will act as a model to transform future provision for young children and families," said Ms Hodge.

"I want to see professionals working together more closely so they can give better support. The Children Centres show ways in which our joined up approach will be delivered on the ground to children and families.

"My long-term vision is for a Children's Centre in every community. This will help all children get a sure start in life, help parents balance their work and family life and support local communities."